Winter can be long and harsh, but that doesn't mean your garden has to suffer. By taking the right precautions, you can protect your trees, shrubs, and perennials from the cold, wind, and snow, ensuring a healthy garden as soon as spring returns.
Note for New Plantings: Trees, shrubs, and perennials installed this past season are particularly fragile. Their root systems are less developed, making them highly susceptible to intense cold and drying winds. Plan to give them the maximum protection (thick mulch, wind barrier) for their first winter.
Follow this dynamic guide to learn how to prepare your plants for winter and enjoy a pleasant outdoor space in any season.
Protecting Your Evergreens
Evergreens (columnar cedars, dwarf spruces, etc.) generally handle winter well, but their persistent needles require constant hydration. Deep watering in the fall is crucial; it allows evergreens to build up water reserves to face the intense cold and drying spring winds. Without this reserve, they risk browning and experiencing branch dieback. This step is especially important for newly planted evergreens.
Essential Tips
- Fall watering: Water your evergreens deeply until late fall, even after the first frosts. Well-saturated soil ensures that roots can draw necessary water throughout the winter.
- Protection from snow and wind:
- Columnar evergreens (cedars, junipers): Wrap them with a fine-mesh netting that is permeable to air and water to prevent branches from breaking under the weight of snow. You can also gently tie them with twine or rope.
- Evergreens near buildings: Install stakes near the house or under the roofline to protect them from heavy snow or ice falling from the roof.
- Snow fencing: Place snow fencing to block cold, drying winds. Install it around the base or create a full enclosure for dwarf evergreens.
Protecting Young Trees and Fruit Trees
Most mature trees do not require special winter protection. However, **young trees (including all new plantings)**, fruit trees, and grafted standards are more sensitive to cold and need specific attention.
- Protection against rodents: Encircle the base of the trunk with a perforated white plastic spiral or wire mesh to prevent rodents from gnawing the bark, which can kill the tree.
- Protection against cold and sunscald: Apply a white tree guard (trunk protector) to prevent cracks caused by sudden freeze-thaw cycles and sun exposure during winter.
- Standard trees (grafted on a stem): Cover the aerial part with a winter protection fabric (geotextile) supported by 4 stakes. Always protect the base with a plastic spiral or wire mesh.
Winterizing Shrubs and Tender Roses
Shrubs, especially less hardy varieties, can suffer from cold, wind, and the weight of snow. Proper protection makes all the difference.
Shrubs
- Hardy shrubs (hydrangeas, lilacs): Tie the branches together with rope or nylon netting to prevent them from opening up or breaking under heavy snow.
- Less hardy shrubs (some flowering shrubs): Surround them with snow fencing covered with geotextile to effectively shield them from the cold and wind.
Less Hardy Roses (Hybrid Teas, Floribundas)
These roses require protection to survive the winter:
- Cone method: Prune the rose so it fits under a styrofoam rose cone. Before securing it, fill the cone with dry peat moss or clean, healthy straw. Ensure the cone is well-anchored to the ground.
- Cone ventilation: Condensation can cause mold. If your cone lacks ventilation holes, drill a few small holes or lift the cone slightly off the ground with wooden blocks to allow air circulation.
- Root protection: You can also build a frame and cover the rose with a breathable winter cover.
Protecting Perennials and Roots
Perennials, such as hostas and peonies, need good root protection to get through the winter unscathed.
- Pruning and cleanup: Prune spent perennials in the fall and clean flower beds to remove debris. Warning: Ensure that removed leaves and stems are healthy and show no signs of disease before composting them; otherwise, discard them to prevent spreading disease.
- Root insulation with mulch: Apply a thick layer (4 to 6 inches) of organic mulch (healthy dead leaves, straw, dry peat moss, or compost) to the flower beds once the ground is lightly frozen. Mulch protects the roots against freeze-thaw cycles.
- New Perennials: Even hardy varieties should receive winter protection (a 4 to 6-inch layer of mulch) if they were planted last fall. This ensures the survival of their young root system.
- Protecting sensitive perennials: Cover the most fragile perennials (perennial geraniums, heucheras) with a winter cover (geotextile) or evergreen branches.
Important Warning: Never Use Plastic!
Avoid plastic! It prevents plants from breathing and traps moisture. This excessive condensation creates an environment conducive to mold, ice buildup, and dieback (freezing/drying effect).
Summary Table of Winter Protections
General Good Practices
- Never use non-breathable plastic sheeting or tarps to wrap your plants.
- Drill or slightly lift cones to prevent mold problems and ensure good air circulation.
| Type of Plant | Snow Fence | Netting Protection | Winter Cover (Geotextile) | Styrofoam/Plastic Cone | Perforated Plastic Spiral (Anti-Rodent) | Ropes for Tying | Mulch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columnar Evergreens | X | X | X | ||||
| Dwarf/Spreading Evergreens | X | ||||||
| Hardy Shrubs | X | X | X | ||||
| Less Hardy Shrubs | X | X | X | X | |||
| Hedges | X | X | X | X | |||
| Less Hardy Roses (Hybrid Teas) | X | X | X | X | |||
| Hardy Roses (e.g., Explorer) | X | ||||||
| Trees (Young or New Plantings) | X | X | |||||
| Fruit Trees | X | X | |||||
| Less Hardy Perennials | X | X | X | ||||
| Lawn (against abrasives) | X | ||||||
| Flower Beds (Roots) | X |
